GardenFoundation LLC
Pets In The Garden
Judy J. Crawford

I would like to discourage the use of hot pepper / chile pepper powder or sprays to try and deter any animal from your garden, either domestic or wild. Same thing with cinnamon. The substance in hot peppers & cinnamon can cause burns to the soft tissues of an animal's mouth, eyes, or nose. Certainly, if an animal gets a whiff of hot pepper up it's nose it will run away. But please realize you ARE harming the animal, causing it pain, and risking eye infections or blindness if the substance gets in it's eyes. Even after the animal leaves your property, if there is any residue on it's paws, it can continue to harm the animal if the paws are licked or rubbed against their eyes. I would like to think I'm not alone in believing that nothing in my garden is worth inflicting that kind of pain & suffering on an animal. However, I'm not against a little water, disgusting odor, or putting a tack on a fence post, because these deterrents are over & done with immediately, and will not cause lingering harm.

Okay, now for some helpful suggestions!

First & foremost, if the cats that are disturbing your garden are not your own, I recommend that you contact the owners (if known) and let them know what is happening. Many cat owners don't realize that their precious kitty is being a nuisance, and will keep their cat indoors when informed of the damage being caused.

My second favorite idea - assuming the cat is "tame" - is to attach a note to the cat's collar. This way, when Kitty goes back home, the owners will get a notification that s/he has been out causing trouble. This works for dogs, too. Just please be sure you don't make threats or use bad language. If you do, and the note gets traced back to you, you could get in legal trouble.

If there are certain areas that are frequently bothered, place mouse traps FACE DOWN on the ground. FACE DOWN, please. Cats don't like to be startled, and if the mouse trap is FACE DOWN, it will only scare the cat, not harm it. Also, if the trap is FACE DOWN, you won't accidentally catch any wild birds. If a cat is startled enough times, it may not come back. Please don't use mouse traps face up. I would feel just awful if an animal was harmed based on this tip.

Cats don't like to pick or dig their way through an obstacle course. You may have some success by placing large pine cones, thorny rose branches, black plastic forks (tines up), etc., in the areas frequented by felines. There are also some commercial products available that will make it very uncomfortable for a cat to walk on. Some people put chicken wire on top of their flower beds, so that cats cannot scratch around. I find this much too impractical, but if it works for some people, then more power to them!

I have read that if you zig-zag colored twine or fishing line through posts in your flower beds (low to the ground), cats and other animals will be discouraged from walking through, due to the impassable air space. Just make sure you don't trip yourself up!

.

If a cat is actually chewing or eating certain plants, you may have some success by using a product called Bitter Apple Plant Protector. It can be used both in the home and in the garden. It works because it has a horrible taste, but it will not harm any animal who injests it.

If cats are climbing over fences or into places they shouldn't, you can try to make the area less accessible. Put some carpet tack (points up) along the top of the fence; thorny rose branches will serve the same purpose. Kitty will not want to tiptoe her way through something that may prick her paws. Another thing to try, although it's not very attractive, is to put very loose, very wobbly chicken wire along the top of the fence. If it's unstable enough, Kitty won't be able to climb it. Another unattractive method for the fence top is to put aluminum foil up there. Most cats don't like the feel of aluminum foil on their paw pads, and will avoid areas covered in it. (This works for deterring scratching on your sofa, too!)

If cats are using particular trees or areas for scratching posts, you can use sticky tape or Tangle Trap (click image at left) to keep them away. Almost no cat alive will deliberately scratch in an area that will result in dirty paws!

Some cats will stay away if a garden is not scented in a manner pleasing to them. You may find some success by planting the herb Rue (ruta gravolens), garlic, or Society Garlic (tulbaghia) in the area. If the cat finds these plants offensive, it may move on. Or not. I have heard that cats don't like the scent of citrus sprays or peel, but my own experience says that's not true. Both of my cats seem to enjoy smelling citrus, and would never be deterred by a peel or extract. Some people say that spraying their gardens with a garlic extract keeps cats at bay. Well, it may just do that, but personally I wouldn't want to spend much time in a garden that smelled like garlic.

On the other hand, you may want to deliberately lure cats to one area of your garden in the hopes that they'll leave the rest of your property alone. The best way to do this is to plant catnip or catmint (nepeta). These plants are very attractive landscape plants, and may make your neighborhood felines so blissed out, they'll forget all about being naughty!

Moth balls or crystals are another often-recommended scent deterrent. I must say they do seem to work at repelling cats. However, they are very toxic! Any animal or human who injests them or breathes the fumes for too long can be seriously poisoned, or possibly killed. Plus, the odor of these products is so nasty & pervasive, it will also repel YOU! I don't recommend this method - too many negatives.

You may have some luck by soaking popsicle sticks in a nasty smelling repellant, then sticking them in the soil where cats congregate. Not only will the cat not want to pick it's way through the popsicle stick obstacle course, it won't like what it's smelling. You can use anything from commercial repellants to predator urine to scent the sticks. There are also some items out there that you can attach directly to plants.

Many people have success using commercial repellents in their garden. If you live in an area that gets frequent rains (like here in the Pacific Northwest), these products may be impractical, as they sometimes must be reapplied after a period of heavy rainfall. However, you may find that these are all you need to keep cats at bay. I have personally had some success with Get Off My Garden!, while others I know use Repel Dog & Cat Repellent. A relatively new product on the market has been approved by the EPA for deterring dogs & cats from the garden. It's called the Reppers Repellent Kit. I have not tried it, but it seems like a new & somewhat different approach.

For people who prefer a more direct, hands-on approach to protecting their gardens, may I suggest getting a Super Soaker? Please don't put anything in it but water, because to do so might harm the cat's eyes. As a rule, cats don't like to get wet. While I have not used a Super Soaker, I have turned my garden hose on a stubborn stray, and felt a degree of satisfaction as it ran away and never returned.

Continuing the water theme, there are gadgets on the market that work even when you aren't around. They hook up to your hose, and have a motion-detector. When they detect motion within the area you define, they turn on the hose and blast the intruder! Cool!

There are a variety of devices you can install that are motion-activated, and will deter pests via a sonic pulse. I am not sure of the effectiveness of these devices against cats, but for some situations, they may be worth a try.

If you have an area that is DRY and flat, you may have some luck using Scat Mats. These devices deliver a small static shock when Kitty walks on them, and are available in a variety of sizes. However, since these devices involve electricity, please use extreme caution in their use. There are several different versions of this device.

Now don't think I'm crazy, but some people have learned to fence their own cats inside their yard. This method isn't cheap, but if you are at all concerned with your cats possibly getting out and being attacked by a dog or run over by a car, the Cat Fence-In may be the solution you're looking for. An alternative is offered by Kitty Klips. A third alternative is to have an enclosure in your yard that you build yourself. You can order the Cat Enclosure Kit which measures 6’ X 6’ X 6’ for $249.95 plus postage and handling. Cat enclosures can be made interesting for cats by placing tree branches, tires, wooden boxes, platforms and other structures for cats to play on and bask in the sun. For more information on the Cat Enclosure Kit, call toll-free: 1-888-554-PETS; or write: C & D Pet Products, 1663 Northstar Drive, Petaluma, CA 94954.

My last "solution" is without a doubt the saddest one: Humanely trap the offending cat. I recognize that there are certain situations where this is the only true resolution to a serious problem, but I hope that trapping is only viewed as a last resort. Before you go this route, please call your local law enforcement and ask about any regulations regarding this activity. Most areas allow trapping cats, but some don't. If the cat you trap is someone's pet, I urge you to return the cat back to its owner. It would help if you were to warn the owner ahead of time that you will be trapping their cat if it comes onto your property again. If you cannot determine ownership of the cat, then please take it to a Humane Shelter or other local organization that is experienced in dealing with stray cats. Please be cautious but gentle & compassionate while dealing with the trapped cat. It will no doubt be scared out of it's mind, and may act wildly. You can purchase your own Hav-A-Hart trap, or you may be able to rent or borrow one from the Humane Society. NO MATTER WHAT, do not take the cat some distance away and abandon it. That would be just plain cruel.